House Passes $819 Billion Economic Stimulus — Republicans Wary of Package's Price Tag, Spending Priorities — With no Republican support, the House approved an $819 billion stimulus plan that will serve as the cornerstone of President Obama's efforts to resuscitate the economy …

House Passes Stimulus Plan Despite G.O.P. Opposition — WASHINGTON — Without a single Republican vote, President Obama won House approval on Wednesday for an $819 billion economic recovery plan as Congressional Democrats sought to temper their own differences over the enormous package of tax cuts and spending.

OBAMA TO HOST COCKTAIL PARTY FOR LAWMAKERS — WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has invited Republican and Democratic lawmakers for drinks at the White House as they consider his economic recovery bill that still faces opposition. — White House aides say about two dozen key members …

GOP Leader Pushes Back Against Limbaugh Line — Over the past few days, talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has been, far and away, the most combative critic of Barack Obama. As Republicans on the Hill compliment the president for his willingness to talk and compromise on the stimulus …

EXCLUSIVE: Holder assures GOP on interrogation prosecution — President Obama's choice to run the Justice Department has assured senior Republican senators that he won't prosecute CIA officers or political appointees who were involved in the Bush administration's policy of “enhanced interrogations.”

Holder Aide: We Made No Special Promises to Bond — My colleague Zack at TPMmuck just heard from an aide to Attorney General nominee Eric Holder. The aide definitively denied Sen. Kit Bond's (R-MO) claim that Holder had given him “assurances” of avoiding future prosecutions …

WHAT A GUY — Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) revealed more of himself than anyone cared to see, at the expense of Salon's Joan Walsh, this evening on “Hardball.” In a debate with Walsh over tax policy, Armey let loose with this chauvinistic gem: “I am so damn glad …

Exclusive: CIA Station Chief in Algeria Accused of Rapes — “Ugly American”? Spy Boss Allegedly Drugged Muslim Women, Made Secret Sex Videos — The CIA's station chief at its sensitive post in Algeria is under investigation by the U.S. Justice Department for allegedly raping at least …

Obama pokes fun at D.C. area's reaction to snow — WASHINGTON — After his daughters got a snow day Wednesday, President Barack Obama wants to see a little bit of “flinty, Chicago toughness” applied locally. — “When it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don't seem to be able to handle things …

Hey Bam, that's not the door! — It looks like President Obama hasn't gotten acquainted to his White House surroundings. On the way back to the Oval Office Tuesday, the President approached a paned window, instead of the actual door — located a few feet to his right.

“Overwhelming” GOP Opposition to Stimulus Bill — Just talked to a very clued-in Republican on the Hill. This person wouldn't predict a unanimous Republican vote against the Democratic stimulus package, but said there would be “minimal” GOP support of the bill.

Nadler transit amendment passes on voice vote — The House just approved Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY)'s amendment to add $3 billion in transit capital funding to the stimulus. They approved it on a voice vote instead of a roll call. — According to Nadler's floor speech …

Scott McClellan's Advice for Robert Gibbs — Yesterday, we asked President Bush's former press secretary, Scott McClellan, if he had any hard-won suggestions for Robert Gibbs. — My view is that the press-briefing model that is used now is kind of outdated.

There's something happening here — I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound — Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote an article for In These Times predicting that congressional progressives would be emboldened to assert themselves in an unprecedented way under an Obama administration …

Only one voter fraud case found — Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he had allegations last fall of widespread voter fraud - allegations a special prosecutor reported Tuesday were wrong, noting the only voter fraud found was from a Connecticut man who told on himself.

House defeats bill to delay digital TV transition — WASHINGTON (AP) — Bucking the Obama administration, House Republicans on Wednesday defeated a bill to delay the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting to June 12 — leaving an estimated 6.5 million U.S. households unprepared for the switchover.

For immediate release — The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to keep its target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent. The Committee continues to anticipate that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for some time.

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